King & Castle

Henry VIII seems to be endlessly fascinating; there is no shortage of books or programs about his reign and his many brides. Katherine Parr, the last of his six wives, is buried at Sudeley Castle & Gardens—the only private castle in England to have a queen entombed within its grounds. Today visitors can explore the beautiful 15th Century church where she rests, but that’s not the only attraction to this place.

The surrounding area of the northern Cotswolds is lush and beautiful, with some gorgeous towns to explore. Our favourite is Cirencester, where you can stay at the surprisingly sophisticated Kings Head Hotel, while visiting the castle and popping into the local museum. The Corinium Museum (named for Corinium Dobunorum, as Roman Cirencester was known) is home to one of the largest collections of Romano-British antiquities. If you’d rather stay out of town, Cowley Manor is a wonderful spa hotel at which to appreciate some down time.

The Sudeley Castle & Gardens itself is just a short drive from either of these spots. Inside you’ll find fascinating treasures from ancient Roman times to the present day; outside, the castle is surrounded by award-winning gardens and a breathtaking 1,200 acre estate—all in the heart of the Cotswolds. Staff dotted around the estate will give you an insight into what life at Sudeley was like, taking you back in time to see it all through Henry’s eyes.

Anton is now an expert on so many countries, we’ve officially lost count. An Englishman himself, it’s very possible that he is a descendant of King Henry VIII—come to think of it, they have uncannily similar facial hair…